Minimally Invasive Valve Replacement for Late Tricuspid Regurgitation After Left-Sided Valve Surgery

Abstract

Late severe tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve surgery can negatively affect long-term prognosis and quality of life. Because of extensive surgical trauma and poor right heart function, perioperative mortality after reoperation for tricuspid regurgitation historically remained high. A number of minimally invasive techniques were adopted at our center recently, including endoscopy-assisted right minithoracotomy, vacuum-assisted single femoral venous drainage without dissecting or snaring vena cava, direct right atriotomy through pericardium, and the beating-heart technique. Moreover, the tricuspid valves were replaced with bioprostheses in the majority of those patients at our center. The midterm outcomes of minimally invasive bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement were favorable.